More than 5,200 miles from the Lakeland University campus, the women's volleyball team enjoyed an amazing small world moment with one of volleyball's biggest stars.

The Muskies had an opportunity to see some of Brazil's best volleyball players in action during last week's 10-day trip to South America. Getting a chance to meet one of the players, especially one with ties to Wisconsin and LU Head Coach Ryan Schopf, made the night unforgettable.

Simone Lee, a native of Menomonee Falls, Wis., and one of the best volleyball players in state history, is an outside hitter for Brazilian professional team Sesc Flamengo.

Schopf worked for months through the tour's guides to get an opportunity to talk with Lee after the match, and that's when the fun started.

He introduced himself to her, noting that he formerly coached volleyball at Luxemburg-Casco High School against Lee when she was a star at Menomonee Falls High School in the early 2010s. Schopf also coached the Wisconsin Volleyball Academy club team when Lee played for the rival club, the Milwaukee Sting. Finally, he said he brought his college volleyball team to the match, and they would love to meet her.

Lee was pleasantly surprised … it was the last thing she expected after a match so far from her home state.

She happily met with team, posing for photos and chatting with the Muskies.

It was a rare opportunity for Lakeland's players to have a moment with one of the game's best players.

Lee played at Penn State University from 2014-17 where she was part of two Final Four teams, a national championship, was Big Ten Player of the Year and a multi-year All-American. She played for the United States senior national team at the 2018 Pan American Volleyball Cup, where the U.S. won the gold medal.

She has played professionally since 2017 in Italy, Turkey, Japan and Germany before landing in Brazil.